MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Looking for a quality PHC microscope and accessories to start the Hobby. Binocular or Trinocular head is preferred.

For anyone to help you with that, you would need to provide more details. Where are you located? There might be someone here, who is fairly nearby and can assist you, with either a microscope or the name of a supplier. I guess, since you are a novice, when you say accessories, you are talking about things like slides, coverslips etc., not more advanced items. Thirdly, it all pretty much comes down to cost. If you told me you had around 500.00 to spend, I would direct you to probably a basic OMAX phase microscope. You can't really go wrong at the price they are being offered at. Otherwise, a really good used one from one of the major makers, might be in order but they would be more expensive but on a different quality level and more open to upgrading further.

apochronaut wrote:For anyone to help you with that, you would need to provide more details. Where are you located? There might be someone here, who is fairly nearby and can assist you, with either a microscope or the name of a supplier. I guess, since you are a novice, when you say accessories, you are talking about things like slides, coverslips etc., not more advanced items. Thirdly, it all pretty much comes down to cost. If you told me you had around 500.00 to spend, I would direct you to probably a basic OMAX phase microscope. You can't really go wrong at the price they are being offered at. Otherwise, a really good used one from one of the major makers, might be in order but they would be more expensive but on a different quality level and more open to upgrading further.

I'm Located in Portland, OR and can spend $1.5K, accessories I am looking are the ones directly related to the scope, eye piece, filters etc.

Well, I hope i don't regret this, but I have a very nice phase scope. I am waiting for a hoped
for windfall payment from a generous trust I am part of, that will pay for a major replacement.
I love this scope, it reeks of the quality of the older scopes, or maybe I should fumigate the lab!
It is an American Optical 10 with the phase kit installed. If you are interested I can add details
and pictures. Not everyone wants to buy an older scope, but it was the best bargain for me.
I was lucky enough to buy it from an authorized repair person, so I know it is adjusted right.
I don't have a price in mind, I will have to scour the web a bit, but it would be so nice to
meet you half way from Kent instead of shipping it.
Dale

Well, I hope i don't regret this

I was just thinking about you and your very nice AO10 Phasestar, but knew it was not my place to suggest you part with your scope. Now that you have opened the door I can only vouch for the quality of your fine microscope.

lorez

I really need a shot of that 18yr old you know what right now. It would be hard to part with
the 10, but I still have the biostar and zoom to keep me busy til the E600 realizes. Agony.
Dale

It would be hard to part with the 10

"...parting is such sweet sorrow..." You must start to think like the proverbial used car salesman... Car in, car out, another car in...

For pdxhiker, If Dale does decide to part with his scope whomever gets it will be getting a great piece of equipment.

lorez

Dale - can you please post the pictures/details and price.

Will go and take them right now.
Dale

Here they are: Details are as follows
Mechanical stage. 10X eyepiece. Rare 5 hole nosepiece with
4x brightfield, 10 20 40 and 100Xoil phase planachromatic objectives.
Phase condenser with auxiliary lens.
Tri-nocular head with solid aluminum phototube. Nice cover. Massive documentation.
Slides, coverslips, immersion oil, and a spare bulb.
I think $700 is fair. The phase kit, 5 hole nosepiece, and 5 objectives put this scope ahead
of anything I have seen on ebay. Commercial rebuilders have them for way over a thousand
dollars. It is less than I have spent on it, but not having to ship it is worth a lot to me.
Be glad to answer any questions.
Dale
Illumination is 20Watt halogen variable, with neutral density filter.

thanks Dale.

I'm wondering what is the difference between this AO 10, AO 20, AO 110 and other AO series. Did you buy this scope as-is with all the components or upgraded it to Phase Contrast post purchase.

Now those are good questions! I'll tackle the first once I get up. I bought
the 10 with no knowledge of the others, then another forum member offered
me the whole phase kit. I only had to look at Google images to know I wanted it.
Installing it was a matter of swapping objectives, condenser, and dropping in
the Bertrand lens. All done easily because of the high quality machined surfaces.
The Bertrand lens is an expensive device that sits between the frame and the head.
It has a lens that is pivoted into the light path to align to calibrate the phase optics.
Most scopes require a little telescope that has to be inserted into an eyepiece
hole.
Just the whole phase kit is worth the price. With a Bertrand, an extra objective,
and the five hole (quintuple) nosepiece make this a crazy good deal. I should
be sellng it piecemeal as I am in no hurry part with the scope.
I think more experienced members will give you a better rundown on the
model differences.
Dale

Link to manuals: https://user.xmission.com/~psneeley/Per ... oscope.htm

Portland, here are 3 good links.

Sort of an ad for AO. http://www.microscopemaster.com/america ... scope.html

This is the whole 9 yards on the 10. https://www.dropbox.com/s/9g2mkarlhktjv ... 0.pdf?dl=0

This is just a good reference for cleaning technique. The Xmission site is the bible of American Optical information. a priceless resource.
If you are considering my scope don't print anything, I already have it in a binder.
Be glad to meet you at Denny's in Chehalis for a show and tell.
Dale

pdxhiker wrote: I'm wondering what is the difference between this AO 10, AO 20, AO 110 and other AO series.

In a nutshell, the AO 10 and 20 were made from the early 60s to 80, and the 110 and 120 were made from 80-85. The difference between the 10 and 20 from the 110 and 120 were that the 20 and 120 had filter wheels and separate lamp housings with higher wattage. All after 1961 are infinity scopes. The Steve Neeley site explains a lot.

Dale wrote: Just the whole phase kit is worth the price. With a Bertrand, an extra objective,
and the five hole (quintuple) nosepiece make this a crazy good deal.
Dale

I guess I should have charged you more!

Charles wrote:

pdxhiker wrote: I'm wondering what is the difference between this AO 10, AO 20, AO 110 and other AO series.

In a nutshell, the AO 10 and 20 were made from the early 60s to 80, and the 110 and 120 were made from 80-85. The difference between the 10 and 20 from the 110 and 120 were that the 20 and 120 had filter wheels and separate lamp housings with higher wattage. All after 1961 are infinity scopes. The Steve Neeley site explains a lot.

there were quite a few electronic changes over the years.
The 10 had several illuminator options , a 120v. illuminator, a remote 6 v. power supply with 18 watt tungsten bulb and an in-base transformer with 20 watt halogen. ...mirror too actually. The 110 had in base electronics( 2 versions though, because the early ones had heating problems). The 20 and 120 both had remote 12 volt power supplies.
The 410 and 420 both have in base electronics.

Charles, I sent PDX a link to your 110.

Dale,
You should negotiate with him for yours.

PDX, my scope is on ebay for $700 and free shipping. After ebay fees and shipping cost's
I should net $600. I am very open to an offer on a fine scope. I am in no rush, but again,
I really do not wish to ship the scope.
Dale

thanks everyone, I have a fair understanding what I need. Since I can't send out PM's this thread is the only place I can communicate

Update: After going back and forth on the setup. I ended up buying a used Zeiss Standard 18 setup. Details to follow once the delivery of scope is complete.